Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/202



, among those to be trusted, the word passed from mouth to mouth that the Americans in Las Rubertas were looked upon with ill-favor by Señor Spiser, that they could in no way look to him for protection, and that should any accident befall them the circumstances would not be investigated with too much thoroughness or the perpetrator of any mischief be prosecuted with great vigor.

This was enough for Las Rubertas. It understood Señor Spiser and his methods perfectly. Unwelcome strangers had often found it more convenient to move on.

The animosity of the women centered upon Nan, while the men could not forgive the intervention which had lost them the fight at the baile. They had no love for Riley, but they feared him, also they needed him, and at any rate he was mostly upon the road between Hopedale and Las Rubertas.

Therefore he was eliminated from their 190